Printing-telegraph



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B. A. BROOKS.

PRINTING TELEGRAPH.

No. 596,320. Patented DeO ZS, 1897.

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B". A. BROOKS. PRINTING TELEGRAPH.

No, 596,320. Patented Dec. 28, 1897.

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PRINTING TELEGRAPH.

No. 596,320. Patented Dec. 28,1897.

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PRINTING-TELEGRAPH.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 596,320, dated December 28, 1897. Application filed August 11, 1894. Serial No. 520,016. (No model.)

My invention relates to printingtelegraphs; and it consists of certain novel parts and combination of parts and of certain novel methods, pointed out in the claims concluding this specification.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown devices embodying my present invention in the forms at present preferred by me, and these are connected and arranged as I now prefer to connect and arrange them; but it will be understood that my invention is not limited to the precise devices herein described, as many modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention and without exceeding the scope of the concluding claims. As to the methods herein claimed, it will of course be understood that they are not limited to the devices shown for carrying them into effect or,indeed,to anyparticular form of mechanism.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a top View of the keyboard and devices at the sending end of the line. Fig. 2 is a plan View of selecting devices, electrical connections, and the printing-magnets at the receiving end of the line. Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6 show details, Fig. 3 being a side view of one of the type bars and mechanism, Fig. 4 being a front view in detail of a portion of the keyboard, parts being broken away, Fig. 5 being a side View of the same, and Fig. 6 being a further detail view of a part of Figs. 4 and 5.

I will now describe the structures illustrated in the accompanying drawings and their method of operation.

Referring to Fig. 1, the keyboard is composed of a number of keys arranged in two rows in substantially the ordinary manner. Each of these keys, as shown in detail in Figs. 4 and 5, is provided with a spring for returning it when depressed to its normal position. Fig. 1 is largely diagrammatic. Each transverse line of keys (in most cases three in number) is connected to a rock-shaft 2,

which rock-shaft is connected with a bellcrank lever 3, one of the arms of which is a contact-plate making contact with three contact-points 4, 5, and 6, by means of which three successive impulses are sent over the line-wire when the key is depressed. This is true of each of the fourteen transverse rows of keys shown in Fig. 1.

7 and 8 are contact devices operated only when a key in one of the outer rows is depressed. Thus the contact 7 is operated when any key in the upper row is depressed and the contact 8 is operated when any keyin the lower row is depressed. The mechanism by which this is accomplished is shown in Figs. 4 and 5 and will be hereinafter described.

9 is a push-button for signaling the operator at the receiving end of the line.

10, 11, 12, and 13 are batteries for the generation of electrical currents.

14 is the line-wire.

15 is a line connecting with the ground or, it may be, with a return metallic conductor. When the spring-contact 3 rests upon the contact-point 4, a circuit is closed from the ground through battery 13, through line 14, and the receiving instrument to ground. When a contact is made with point 5, a circuit is closed through battery 10, line-wire, &c. \Vhen a contact is made with point 6, the same action is repeated. 7

It will be observed that the currents through batteries 10 and 11 pass in one direction and those through batteries 12 and 13 pass in the opposite direction. Hence the currents conveyed to the line from said batteries are of opposite polarity, l0 and 11 transmitting positive currents and 12 and 13 transmitting negative currents. It will also be observed that the current which is generated by positive battery 11 also passes through positive battery 10, and that the current generated through the negative battery 12 also passes through negative battery 13, these batteries 10 11 and 12 13 being arranged in series. Therefore whenever the batteries 11 or l2are brought into operation a current of greater potential is transmitted over the lines than is transmitted when either batteries 10 or 13 operate alone. In this way I provide four different impulses-weak and strong negative and weak and strong positive. The depression of either key in each of the transverse rows causes a characteristic set of impulses (three in number) to be transmitted over the line, as indicated by the characters \V, +lV, S, and +S, meaning weak negative, weak positive, strong negative, and strong positive. The connections by which the various currents or impulses indicated are produced are clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings and will be understood without further description.

Figs. 4, 5, and (i are detail views of the mechanism at the sending end of the line, which is diagramatically shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 shows one transverse row of keys in side view. 16 is a key on the bottom row, 17 a key on the middle row, and 18 a key on the top row. Fig. 4: shows on the left-hand side the contact device, (marked 8, Fig. 1.) At the right of that is shown a front view of the parts shown in Fig. 5 on the line 00 56. At the extreme right of said Fig. 4 is shown a front view of the parts shown in Fig. 5 on the line y 2 Referring to that part marked 8, Fig. 4., 22 is a shaft or pinion to which is keyed an arm 19, provided with a pin 20, engaging between the cars 21 on a universal bar 23, common to all the keys on the bottom row of the keyboard. iVhenever either of the keys on said rowis depressed, the bar 23is caused to have a longitudinal motion, which rotates the arm 1.) and causes the contact 24, rigidly attached thereto, to make contact with the contactpoint 25 on the segmental piece 26. This action causes, as shown in Fig. 1, a strong negative current to traverse the line. A similar device is connected with the keys on the top row of the keyboard and the contact device by (Fig. 1) causing a strong positive current to traverse the line when any key in this row is depressed.

Referring to the middle section of Fig. 4, 27 is a bell-crank lever carried. upon a shaft 2 and keyed thereto in such a manner as to permit partial revolution of the shaft without moving said bell-crank lever. This bellcrank lever is attached to and operated by the shaft of key 16, and at its opposite end is provided with a pin set between cars 29 on said universal bar 23.

The section to the right of Fig. i'is, as I have said, a front view on the line y y, Fig. 5. 28 is a contact-spring attached to an arm 37, keyed to shaft 2. 30, 31, and 32 are contactpoints with which the spring 28 makes c011- tact successively as said arm and spring move from left to right. 33 is an arm keyed to shaft 2 with lost motion. The arm 37 is free to move longitudinally on the shaft 2, the key 38 (see Fig. 5) engaging said arm at all times and compelling it to rotate with shaft 2. 34L is a universal bar similar in construction and function to the universal bar 23, already described.

The operation of this device may be thus briefly described: The depression of a key 17 in the middle row causes the arm 33 to be moved through the are of a circle, which arm being keyed to the shaft 2 rotates the same and also the arm 37, keyed to said shaft, there by bringing the spring 28 successively in contact with the points 30, 31, and 32, sending to line three impulses characteristic of the particular key operated. lVhen a key 16 in the bottom row is operated, it causes the bellcrank lever 27 to move through the are of a circle, thereby giving a longitudinal motion to the universal bar 23. This bar, by means of the cars 21, carries with it the arm 19 and the contact-spring 24, attached to it, whereby contact is first made with the point 25 and an impulse sent to line. The rotation of the shaft 2, carrying with it the arm. 37, keyed thereto, causes the spring 28 thereafter to make contact with points 30,3l,and \Vhen a key 18 in the top row is depressed, a second universal bar 34, like the universal bar 23, causes, in the same manner and by similar mechanism, an impulse to be sent to line preceding the impulses transmitted through points 30, 31, and It will thus be observed that the depression of either of the three keys in a given transverse row causes the same three characteristic impulses to be transmitted over the line, that when a key in the middle row is struck only these three impulses are sent, that when a key in the bottom row is struck these impulses are preceded by a strong negative current, and when a key in the top row is struck said impulses are pre ceded by astrong: positive current.

Fig. 6 shows the mechanism by means of which contact of spring 28 with points 30, 31, and 32 is avoided when the arm 37 and its spring is making a reverse motion or is, in other words, returning to its initial position. The lower end of the arm 37 is provided with a roller, and when the arm reaches the end of its motion a coiled spring 40 shifts it 1011- gitudinally on the shaft 2, through the passage 41, and into passage 42. A spring 43, Fig. 5, causes the shaft 2 to revolve in the reverse direction and the roller to be moved toward the left hand in Fig. 6 until it reaches a shutter 36, controlled by a spring 35, when, under the in fluence of the spring 43, it passes said shutter, which is at once closed against its return.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of the receiving apparatus and the selecting devices by means of which the characteristic impulses transmitted from a given key are directed to operate the corresponding printing-magnet and key-lever at the receiving end of the line. Assuming the key L to be operated, three impulses (first a weak negative, second a weak positive, third a weak positive) will be transmitted over the line. The first weak negative current will pass through magnets id and 45, armature 4G, armature 17, magnets 48 49, magnets 50 51 to earth. In so doing it will operate magnet 45, attracting its armature 59 and spreading the arms 50 50 and (second) magnet 48, (which is actuated by a weak negative current,) and will draw the armature 47 over in contact with the core of the magnet and the contact-spring 52 in contact with points 53. When contact between the said spring and points is made, a local battery 54 will be brought in operation and a current will flow from said battery, as indicated by the arrows, through bridge 55, spring 52, magnets 56, 57, and 58 back to battery. This actuates magnets 56 and 58. Magnet 56 looks the armature 47 in the position to which it has been already moved. Magnet 58 exer-' cises a force tending to draw its armature 46 in contact with its core, but being weaker than is the magnet 44 when energized by the line impulse it produces no motion in the armature until said line impulse ceases, when said 'magnet 58 attracts its armature and breaks the line traversed by the first impulse between armatures 46 and 47. WVhen the linecurrent ceases, the magnet ceases to be energized and permits the arms 50 50 to return to their normal position and establish contacts between the points which they bear and I the spring 60, carried on the upper end of ar- 7 third impulse is a weak positive one.

mature 47. A new line is now opened for the impulse which is to follow, said line being through conductor 61, contact-points of arm 50, spring 60, arm 50, conductor 62, magnet 63, armature 64, armature 65, magnets 66 67 to earth.

In the case we are considering the next or second impulse is a weak positive one. This draws the upper end of armature toward the right, making contact with points 68 69, which operate like points 53, already described, to bring into operation again the 10- cal battery 54, which, by means of magnet 7 0, looks armature 65 in position and by means of magnet 71 breaks the line between armatures 64 and 65, when the line impulse ceases. By the same operation a new line is now opened through contact-points 72.

In the case we are considering the next or This traverses conductor 61, spring 60, arm 50, conductor 62, contacts 72, (and spring 7 3, connecting them,) conductor 74, magnets 75, 76, 77, and 78 to ground. The magnet 78 now draws its armature 79 over to the right, making contact with spring 80, when a line is formed through conductor 81, magnets 82 82, line 83, battery 84, conductor 85, conductor 86, branch 87, armature 79. 84 is the printing-battery, made sufficiently strong to operate the printing-magnets, of which 82 82 are a pair.

The construction of the selecting devices shown in the upper row in Fig. 2 maybe thus described: Each of these devices contains magnets worked by both strong and weak currents. Assume, for example, that a strong current is passing through magnets 75, 76, 77, and 78 and that it is a negative current. It will energize not only magnet 75, but also magnet 77. Magnet 75 will draw its armature 114 toward it, while magnet 77 will likewise draw its armature 79 toward it 5 but as both these armatures are moving in the same direction and 114 has the greater amplitude of motion armature 79 will not come in contact with it and the action of magnet 77 will produce no material effect. WVhen, on the other hand, a weak negative current passes, armature 79 will be brought in contact with spring 115, carried by armature 114, and circuit will be made through conductor 116 to the corresponding pair of magnets controlling the action of the corresponding type-bar.

Referring to Fig. 3, 82 is one of the printingmagnets. When this magnet is energized, it attracts its armature 85, which causes the rod 87 to move longitudinally to the left, throwing down against the sheet of paper 88 on the platen the type carried by type-bar 89, pivoted at 90. The rod 87 carries two' pins 91 on its side, engaging with a lever 92, carrying contact-spring 93, normally in contact with the point 94. The local circuit shown in dotted lines is connected with these contact-points. As the rod 87 moves forward the lever 92 is caused to turn on its pivot and so to break the said local circuit at 93 94; This is the same local circuit shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, which, among other things, controls the locking mechanism. The first action, therefore, of the printing-magnet is to break this circuit and unlock these selecting devices, permitting them to return to their normal position. This is preferably arranged to take place, as shown in the drawings, before the type has reached the printing-point on the platen. The return of the locking devices to the normal position also breaks the printingcircuit generatedlby battery 84. The momentum of the type-bar and its attendant parts is relied upon to complete its downward movement and bring the type in contact with the paper on the platen. The rod 87 also carries a trigger 95, held in position by a spring 96. As the bar 87 moves forward with a rocking motion the hook on the trigger 95 engages with the lever 97, carrying a contact-spring 98 and controlled as to its position by a stop-pin 99 and a spring 100. When the rod, under the influence of spring 101, is returned to its nor- 1 mal position, it presses lever 97 forward, making contact between spring 98 and contact 102. This closes the local circuit containing the printing-battery 84 and energizes magnets 103 103 and 104 104. Magnets 103 control the mechanism which releases the platen and permits it to return to its normal position after it has been shifted. The magnets 104 104 are the feeding-magnets by means of which the platen is fed forward to space between letters or between words in the ordinary manner. By these means the platen is fed forward and is returned to its normal central position after it is shifted, while the type-bar 89 is returning to its normal position.

Referring to Fig. 2, 105 105 are the shifting magnets controlling the positionofthe platen. I have already described that the impulse operating these magnets precedes the impulses by means of which the printing-magnets are brought into action. In the drawings I have shown this impulse as a strong positive or strong negative current. Said current enters (see Fig. 2) through 14, passes by way of magnet 44 45, armature a6, armature 47, magnets 48 and 49 to magnets 50 and 51, causing armature 106 to be drawn against point 107 or 108. Ive will assume that the impulse is a strong negative impulse and that armature 106 is therefore brought in contact with point 107. The circuit through local battery 84 is thereby completed and a current flows through one or the other of the shifting magnets 105, energizing the same and shifting the platen to its desired position. 109 is a bridge, and 110 111 are contact-surfaces having insulated portions. As the armature 106 swings in contact with its point the bridge 109 moves over the insulated portion of said point and to a new contact position, where it remains during the shifting operation. When the shifting impulse ceases, armature 106 roturns to its normal position and bridge 109, passing in the insulated portion of points 110 111, releases armature 47, which has been swung against magnet 56, and permits it to return to its normal position ready to receive the subsequent impulses, in the manner already described. 112, Fig. 2, is a magnet which operates the paper-feed 1necl1anismthat is,'the mechanism by means of which the paper is fed between lines-and 113, Fig. 2, is the trip mechanism-that is, the mechanism by means of which the platen is released to return the sheet to the initial position for the beginning of a new line. The platen is preferably returned to its normal position at the beginning of a line by a spring and is fed forward to space between letters and words by direct action. These magnets 112 113 are operated by impulses selected by the mechanism shown in Fig. 2, in the manner already described.

It is possible that under certain conditions the main-line current might continue to flow after the locking-circuit had been broken and that the selecting devices, being in condition to receive an impulse, would be improperly set. To avoid this diiiiculty, Ihave provided magnet 58 with double winding, passing around it coils both from the main line and from the local locking-circuit. Between the main line and magnet 58 is a resistance-coil 118, which permits but a small amount of the main current to pass when the circuit through the selecting devices is closed. Then the locking-circuit is broken, armature 46 will not return to the normal position illustrated in drawings until current ceases to flow over the main line, because the only path for the main-line current at that time will be through resistance 118 and magnet 58 to earth. This effectually prevents any currents, if present, passing to the selecting devices after the look ing mechanism is released. When the mainline current ceases, and not before, armature 4-6 returns to the position shown in the drawings and the devices are ready to receive any impulses subsequently transmitted.

My invention may be embodied in various other forms of apparatus than thosehere described. I have not endeavored to describe such other forms, as the object of this specification is to set forth my invention in such terms that others skilledin the art may practice it in the form of apparatus at present preferred by me and to enable them to understand its nature. Many of the elements described are not essential to the several fea tures of the invent-ion separately considered. This will be indicated in the claims, where the omission of an element or the omission of reference to the detail features of the elements mentioned is intended to be a formal declaration of the fact that the omitted elements or features are not essential to the inventions therein severally covered. As to the method claims, these are not limited to any particular form of mechanism.

Vhat I claim is the following:

1. In a printing-telegraph the combination of a line-wire and electric switches connected in series in said line and means for sending a characteristic succession of impulses over said line and through said switches successively whereby a final impulse is transmitted directly to a magnet controlling the corresponding printing mechanism.

2. In a printing-telegraph the combination of a line-wire and electric switches connected in series in said line and means for sending a characteristic succession of impulses over said line and through said switches successively whereby a final impulse is transmitted directly to the magnet controlling the eorresponding printing mechanism and means controlled by the operation of the printing mechanism for restoring said switches to their normal position.

3. In aprinting-telegraph,the combination with a vibratory member at the receiving end of the line, of a keyboard at the sending end of the line provided with a plurality of keys arranged in groups corresponding to groups of types in the receiver some of which when operated transmit over the line an impulse in addition to their characteristic succession of impulses whereby said vibrating member of the printing mechanism is operated and the types of the corresponding group are printed.

ll. In a printing-telegraph,the combination of a keyboard, sources of electricity, contact-points and suitable connections so arranged that by the operation of a single key a succession of contacts are made and a characteristic succession of impulses of varying strength and polarity are sent over the line, combined with a series of type-carriers each of which is operated by a predetermined succession of impulses.

5. In a printing-telegraph the combination of a line-wire, a keyboard, a plurality of switches connected thereto in series, said switches being successively operated by impulses of varying strength and polarity transmitted over the line, by the operation of keys on the keyboard, means for retaining the switches in their new position until the printing operation is completed, a series of printing-magnets and means connected with the impression mechanism for automatically unlocking said switches and permitting them to return totheir normal position. 6. In aprinting-telegraph, the combination of a line-wire, sources of electricity, means for sending in succession a series of characteristic impulses over said line, magnets controlled by said impulses to operate said switches, magnets for holding said switches in position until the printing operation is effected and means for returning said switches to their normal position after the printing operation is effected.

7. In a printing-telegraph the combination of a keyboard, a series of printing-magnets corresponding to the keys on said keyboard,

- means for sending in succession a series of tuating a distant printing mechanism electrically, consisting' in sending a characteristic series of electrical impulses over a single linewire by the operation of one of the keys of a keyboard at the sending end whereby a series of switches are su ccessively operated to direct the final impulse to the corresponding magnet at the receiving end and local circuits are simultaneously brought into action to hold said switches in position and finally said local circuits are broken to release said switches, and permit them to return to their normal position simultaneously with the act of printing.

9. In a printing-telegraph the combination of a keyboard, a series of type-carriers each of which is operated by a predetermined succession of impulses, a line-wire and electric switches connected in series in said line, means for sending a characteristic succession of impulses over said line and through said switches successively by the operation of a single key, magnets operating the impression mechanism and means by which a final impulse is transmitted through said switches directly to a magnet operating a type-carrier corresponding to the key operated on the keyboard.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 4th day of August, A. D. 1894.

BYRON A BROOKS. Witnesses:

WM. H. GLADDING, H. T. NUNN. 

